MYSTERY SUSPENSE: Boxset
Page 4
“And who are they?”
“Rick and Sherry Towne, they are my clients and owners of this bar.”
“So, they’re the ones selling this alcohol?” Vic asked.
“If you look at Rick’s face, you will see he didn’t have a choice.”
“The only thing I know is everyone going downtown and we’ll let the Feds handle it.”
Chapter Nine
I spent the next four hours in a room with the Feds trying to convince them and the D.A. to let Rick Towne and I go. Once everyone was sure they couldn’t nail Sherry and I with anything, they released us.
“What do you think will happen to Rick?” Sherry asked.
“Well, he’ll have to go to trial,” I replied.
“Do you think he will go to jail?”
“That depends on the court. The fact that he’s testifying for the state should work in his favor. But I’m afraid he’s going to have to serve some time.”
“What about the others?”
“Well, there’s still a few of them running around, they will be caught in a couple days. The good part about this is, thanks to your husband, they found the still, which means some of the alcohol is off the streets.”
“Thank you, Mister Stone, for everything.” she said, kissing me on the cheek.
“Goodbye, Sherry.”
Visit the author’s websites:
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Two Free Gifts
As a way of saying thanks for your purchase, I’m offering two free mysteries that’s exclusive to my readers. Double Cross and Dead On Impact fast-paced, suspenseful plot… The story’s complicated and intriguing twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the chilling ending.
Sign up for the author’s New Releases mailing list and get a FREE copy of the latest novels Double Cross and Dead On Impact Randall Stone Mysteries…
http://bit.ly/1HvvhAD
MYSTERY, CRIME AND SUSPENSE: BOX SET (10 books in 1) Keeps readers guessing as twists & turns unfold
New Release Sale Price: $0.99 for a limited time. Purchased individually, the books in this set would cost $29.99. You save $29.00!
(DOWNLOAD HERE)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PA8VV1Y
FROM THE B.A. SAVAGE
Alex French Series
Book 1
Into Darkness
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNR86F0
Book 2:
The Scorned
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4T3MHO
Book 3:
Dangerous Game
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNR8966
Book 4
Deception
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LR0O7S8
Book 5
Extortion
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZFW3Z4
Book 6
Suspicion
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBQNWNI
Book 7
Skyjacker
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0DGUH6
Book 8
Judgment
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NDJ9ULU
Book 9
Suicide
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NQJ5L5Q
Book 10
Psychopath
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O3YPP8G
Masquerade
An Alex French Mystery
B.A. Savage
Two Free Gifts
As a way of saying thanks for your purchase, I’m offering two free mysteries that’s exclusive to my readers. Double Cross and Dead On Impact fast-paced, suspenseful plot… The story’s complicated and intriguing twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the chilling ending.
Sign up for the author’s New Releases mailing list and get a FREE copy of the latest novels Double Cross and Dead On Impact Randall Stone Mysteries…
http://bit.ly/1HvvhAD
MYSTERY THRILLER: BOX SET (8 books in 1) Keeps readers guessing as twists & turns unfold….
FLAT RATE Sale Price $0.99 limited time. MYSTERY, CRIME & SUSPENSE: BOX SET (8 books in 1)…
(Download Here)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SQRMJU8
MYSTERY, CRIME AND SUSPENSE: BOX SET (10 books in 1) Keeps readers guessing as twists & turns unfold
New Release Sale Price: $0.99 for a limited time. Purchased individually, the books in this set would cost $29.99. You save $29.00!
(DOWNLOAD HERE)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PA8VV1Y
FROM THE B.A. SAVAGE
Alex French Series
Book 1
Into Darkness
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNR86F0
Book 2:
The Scorned
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4T3MHO
Book 3:
Dangerous Game
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNR8966
Book 4
Deception
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LR0O7S8
Book 5
Extortion
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZFW3Z4
Book 6
Suspicion
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBQNWNI
Book 7
Skyjacker
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0DGUH6
Book 8
Judgment
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NDJ9ULU
Book 9
Suicide
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NQJ5L5Q
Book 10
Psychopath
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O3YPP8G
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter One
Susan Day came into the Jefferson County Airport whistling, grinning, and ready for anything. After spending the last six hours saying non-stop goodbyes to Mark Campbell, there were a few things she might not be ready for but anything else, she could handle.
French shifted restlessly in the airport canvas chair. “She was supposed to have landed an hour ago. I wonder what has happened.”
“Susan,” Karen called out in a singsong tone. “Mister French. She is coming.”
French rolled his head in a circle, working out a crick in his neck. “It’s about time.” He rubbed his eyes. The August humidity made the sweat lay heavily on his skin, like mineral oil.
Susan came into view, two skycaps behind her pulling dollies full of luggage.
“Looks like she brought half of New Orleans with her.” French said with a smile.
“Good morning, Sissy. Hello, Mister French,” Susan said, dropping her bag, wrapping her arms around them, and kissing them on the cheek. “Where are the little rug rats?”
“They got bored. You weren’t there to pick with them, so they decided to spend a week with Aunt Eleanor.” French informed her.
“What about Toni, why didn’t he come to say hello to his Aunt Susan?”
“You know Toni has a hard on for Eleanor’s neighbor’s dog. So he went with them.”
“Susan, you look fabulous. Did you have a good time?” French asked.
“Everything was beautiful. The first night there, we went down Bourbon Street and watched the performers. I had a fortune teller read my fortune and danced at bars until five the next morning. I will tell you all about it later. Well, what did you guys do, go on a date? Spend the last few days making hot, amazing love. Come on, Sissy; let me know all the dirty details.”
“That’s our little secret. Where is my new brother-in-law? You know the one with the golden
rod?” Karen said with heavy sarcasm.
“He is an amazing guy. His name is Mark Campbell. Unfortunately, he had to get off the plane in Louisville and catch a cab to Fayette.”
“It sounds like you two are sweethearts.” French asked with a cocked brow.
“I’ll tell you how serious it is. Later this evening, he will be here in town. He wants us all to meet him at the International Hotel. He is going to take us out to dinner. He asked me to pick him up at his room. Come on, guys, I have to get ready.”
Susan and Karen walked off to the parking lot arm in arm, the skycaps tailing close behind them. French noticed a heavyset man with slicked back blond hair and a neatly trimmed mustache watching the two girls. French had seen the guy fifteen minutes after they walked into the airport. Blondie wasn’t a professional at the surveillance game. The dark oversized sunglasses in a dimly lit airport terminal gave him away. French decided to play along to see how far this may go.
Chapter Two
The International Hotel was once known as Daniel Boone Lodge. It recognized as the oldest continuously operating hotel in Kentucky. On June 31, 1801, John Clanton spent $2 for a license to operate a “house of Public Entertainment”. The Daniel Boone Lodge earned its name because many early pioneers could not read. So giving a business a name that could be easily drawn and recognized by the photo of a frontier exploits was important.
The brick building where the Daniel Boone Lodge moved to and currently resides was built in 1810. The original building was a three-story structure, where the lobby area and Higgins dining room now stand. In 1840, the fourth story was added. Shortly after, in 1850, a fourth story wing was added, which is where Bluegrass and Springer dining rooms currently stand. In 1870, the fifth story was added to accommodate the workers who would bring the railroad to Fayette. The trading post and Pioneers Tavern were added to the structure in 1910.
Susan walked through the doors first, with Karen close behind. French was next, listening to Susan going on and on about this fantastic new stranger and looking to see if Blondie was still tailing them. He had followed them out of the airport into the parking lot, down Airport Road, and up Man-of-war. French believed he had lost him on Corporate Drive.
Susan walked up to a bellman and asked for directions to room 104. They followed him down a long hallway and around an extensive outdoor pool in a room located on the back corner of the building. Susan thanked the kid, awarding him with a five dollar tip, fixed her hair, ran her hands over the skirt that displayed too much thigh, and knocked on the door.
The door swung open, and Lieutenant Emerson walked out.
“Susan, Karen, and Mister French, Tom Van Dyke works fast,” Emerson said with a forced smile.
“Why are you here, Lieutenant?” Susan asked with a puzzled look on her face.
“Van Dyke didn’t call you?” Emerson asked, eyes darting from one face to the other.
“What is going on?” Susan said, forcing her way into the room.
As the three walked into the room, what looked to be a male body was lying on the floor.
The victim was approximately 5’ 9”, 170 to 180 pounds, light build, brown hair. He's found lying face down, legs bent to left, left arm perpendicular to body to left, right arm across the chest. Body oriented with his head to northwest, approximately five feet from the front entrance. Bedspread lies roughly equidistant between the bed and body.
Victim is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, black British Khaki pants, and Dockers Vargas Shoes.
Karen sees her sister’s eyes close. Susan loses her balance and French catches her and helps her to a seat.
“Are you going to be alright?” French asked.
“I need to get some air,” Susan replied as Karen helped her out of the room.
“Is it Mark Campbell?” French asked.
Emerson shrugged. “I don’t know but that is the name on his driver’s license. How do you know him?”
“Susan just came back from vacation in New Orleans. He was staying at the same hotel.”
“So, is there a romantic connection here?”
“She cares about him, if that’s where you’re going.” French replied.
“Lieutenant,” a suave, oily voice insinuated itself into the conversation. “The victim appears to have sustained fatal blunt force injuries to the head and shoulder area, particular on the left side. Left side of head and shoulder covered with blood. Bloodstains on left arm and chest area, little pooling under body approximate area is 6 inches by 4 inches, drying and brown in color.” said a man in a crime scene jacket.
French bent down and touched the man’s neck with the back of his hand. “Body is still warm.” He picked up the left hand and turned it over. “Hands are empty and clean. There is a thin gold wedding band on the left ring finger. There is a wound on the right forearm, possible defense injury.”
“Hotel maid found his body. She states she did not move the body, felt for a pulse in the neck, and listened for a heartbeat, finding none.” Emerson added.
“Victim appeared to be walking into the room after answering the door and was then struck down by the assailant.” Crime scene jacket said.
“From the looks of the room, there wasn’t a struggle prior to death.” French said. “Do you know the cause of death?”
“He was shot from the back. The assailant must have used a silencer because no one heard anything.” Emerson said, looking over his shoulder to see Susan and Karen walking back in the room. “Susan, just go home. I have a few questions to ask you, but maybe I can come by later.”
“That's a very good idea, come on, Sissy."
Susan looked at the body one more time. She sees the hand out from the body and her eyes widen. “Wait a minute, Karen.” She walked over to the body and bent down. “Can I look at him, Lieutenant?”
Emerson nodded his head. “Sure, go ahead.”
Susan's hands tremble as she slowly rolled over the body. She looks up at French. “Mister French, this isn’t Mark.”
Chapter Three
Susan spent most of her nights at French’s home with her sister off Niagara Drive. She had her bedroom and bathroom, but she lived off Hollow Creek Road on the northwest side of Fayette.
“Susan, do you want something to drink? Would you like a cold beer?” Karen asked.
“Yes, that would be nice. I just don’t understand it, guys. Everything is happening too fast.”
“Susan, I feel sorry for whomever that guy is, lying dead in your friend’s room but it wasn’t your Mark. That means he’s out there somewhere, and he could be in trouble.” Karen said.
“Lieutenant Emerson believes Mark has something to do with this,” Susan said, looking at French and Karen.
“Let’s not put the cart before the horse. Emerson didn’t say anything like that. You know you have to look at every possibility. That is what we do. That is what makes us good investigators.” French said.
“I know, Mister French, but it was Mark’s room, and it was his wallet in the dead man’s pocket. If he didn’t kill him, then why did he disappear?”
Karen walked back into the room, carrying three tall cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. “Susan, I need to ask something and I want you to think hard. Did anything out of the ordinary happen in New Orleans?”
“Something strange did happen two days after we met.”
“What was that?” French asked.
“Mark and I were having lunch on Friday. When we arrived, a man was waiting for us. Mark introduced him as Don Howard.”
“What’s so strange about that?” Karen asked.
“Well, Don seemed very nervous about something. He kept looking around like someone was watching him.”
“You have any idea why?” French asked.
“No, sir. I asked Mark about it on the way back to the hotel, and he said he hadn’t noticed. When I think back about it, this guy was so nervous; Mark had to have noticed it.”
French stood up and walked over to where S
usan was sitting. “Why don’t to you go to your room and relax. We will talk about this later.”
She took a few steps toward the bedroom and turned back around. Her eyes were red, and tears were running like tiny streams down her checks. “I love him, Mister French, and I just don’t know what to do. It has been so long since I found someone special who I could share my thoughts with and like a dark knight, he walks into my life. Now he is gone. You two just don’t understand.”
French takes her in his arms. The gentleness of his grip was like being in her mother‘s arms and all the trouble drifted away. “Don’t worry, honey, we will locate Mark and get to the bottom of this, I promise.”
Chapter Four
It was getting late, but French was still able to locate Sergeant Robert Douglas of the New Olean’s Major Crimes Unit. Robert and Alex had become friends five years ago working a jewelry theft ring that had started on the east coast and hit several major cities across the country. Their friendship had grown through the years.
“Hello, Robert?”
“Holy sheep shit, Alex French. Well, how’s it hanging, you oil snake?”
“Still over my belt buckle, I hope. How are you doing, my friend?”
“Well, we think my wife, Lucille, is pregnant again. I don’t know what I’m going to do with her.”
French laughed. “I’m sure you had a lot to do with it, too. Please give her a kiss for me.”
“I sure will. What can I do for you this evening?”
“I need you to check out a name for me.”
“What’s the name?”
“Mark Campbell.”
“What do you have on him?”
“We found a dead body in his hotel room.”
“Who was the dead man?”